THE NEWSCASTER
THE NEWSCASTER
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Deborah Russell - Editor/Publisher
Inglis, FL 34449
Tom Russell - Consulting Editor
A Publication of
Wednesday January 19, 2011
Sally Price - Correspondent
Permit No. 14
Newscaster Publishing
Mike Moore - Photojournalist
.
Squawk Box
A
Elusive
in Williston
A Patas monkey has been spotted
in the Williston area in a block of woods
between County Road 318 and 217th
Court. The Florida Fish and Wildlife Con-
servation Commission (FWC) is asking for
the public’s assistance if the animal is spot-
ted, because the monkey can be dangerous
to anyone who might try to handle it. “So
far, capture techniques have proved to be
ineffective,” said Maj. Lee Beach, FWC re-
gional commander. “We are asking that the
public not approach this animal or attempt
to feed it.”
FWC personnel did set a trap for
the monkey, but the animal proved to be
elusive. Darting is also problematic be-
cause of the speed and agility of the animal.
“These monkeys are called the ‘grey-
hounds’ of the primate world,” Beach said.
“They can run about 35 mph. If we were
able to get a dart in the animal, we could
lose it in the woods.”
According to officials, Patas mon-
keys, which are ground-dwellers, can grow
to approximately 3 feet tall, not including
pair of hands signing the “Quail 30” Geocache logbook as “found” last Sunday in Citrus County. “Geocaching” is an internet-based sport
the tail, and weigh up to 30 pounds. The
where people hide “caches” of goodies (usually called “boodle”), post the GPS coordinates online, then seekers try to find the hidden trea-
body, limbs, feet and hands are long and
sures; a very popular game, there are 1.2 million hidden caches in every country of the world and thousands right here in Citrus County. Truth
slim. It has a dark face with a white mus-
be known, there is probably a hidden Geocach within a mile of you right now! TheNewscaster/Mike Moore
Federal fugitive, suspected drug
tache and beard.
Domestic
“Another physical feature is that
they have 2-inch canine teeth,” Beach said.
trafficker arrested in Homosassa
The FWC classifies captive wildlife in dif-
Battery
ferent categories, according the danger the
animal can present. The Patas monkey is a
Class II animal, which requires substantial
were issued in 1980 by
Miami U.S. Marshals arrested a
Investigation
experience to handle, and it has specific
police in MacDonald’s
federal fugitive on Jan. 11 who had escaped
cage requirements. Other Class II animals
hometown of Winnipeg,
from federal custody 30 years ago in Fort
include badgers, wolverines, alligators,
Manitoba, Canada. Ac-
Lauderdale, Florida. Ian Jackson MacDon-
Leads to Fire
wolves and clouded leopards.
cording to Golden, Mac-
ald, now 71, was arrested at his N. Spartan
“From this list, you can see why
Donald was suspected
Dr. Homosassa home on a warrant charging
we believe the monkey could hurt someone
of sending shipments of
him with escape. Upon his arrest, MacDon-
in Patrol Car
and why we are asking that the public not
marijuana from Florida
ald reportedly told investigators he had been
Continued on page 4 - Patas Monkey
to Canada. MacDonald,
looking over his shoulders for the past 30
From Citrus County Sheriff's Dept.
a Canadian citizen, was
years and wondered when this day would
MacDonald
charged with conspir-
come.
An incident remains under review
ing with a (then) Monitoba legislator, Bob
MacDonald was taken to the Mar-
by the Citrus County Sheriff’s Office that
Wilson (who was convicted of the charges
ion County Jail in Ocala and scheduled to
occurred at a residence on W. Stockel Ct.,
in 1980) and several other people to import
appear in federal court in Orlando on Jan.
in Dunnellon, around 11:30 p.m. on Friday,
and traffick up to 500 pounds of marijuana
12 on the escape charges, then back to South
Jan. 7, where deputies were dispatched to a
to Canada. According to Canadian newspa-
Florida, said Barry Golden, a senior inspec-
domestic battery call, and 45 year-old Kim-
pers, Wilson has maintained his innocence
tor with the U. S. Marshals Service. “Once
berly Gale was identified as the primary ag-
for the past 30 years.
those (escape) charges are through, he’ll go
gressor suspect.
In 1980, MacDonald was arrested
back to Canada (to face the Canadian drug
According to Gail Tierney, Public
in Fort Lauderdale on the Canadian drug
charges),’’ Golden said.
Information Officer with the CCSO, Gale
charges, to be held in custody until his ex-
MacDonald legally entered the
and her live-in boyfriend got into an argu-
tradition back to Canada. He was held at the
United States in 1978, according to the U.S.
ment about another man Gale had brought
Patas Monkey - Am. Soc. of Primatologists
Marshal Service, before the drug charges
Continued on page 3 - Fugitive Caught
Continued on page 3 - Patrol Car Fire